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VISIT - INTERCONTINENTAL CHANTILLY CHÂTEAU MONT ROYAL, REFINEMENT AMIDST THE TREETOP (France)
Between forest and sky, a castle emerges, discreet and majestic. Here, luxury and history combine to offer a respite where time seems to stand still. |
Catégorie : Europe - France - Économie du secteur
- Rénovation ou nouveauté dans un établissement
Article rédigé par Romane Le Royer le vendredi 10 octobre 2025
 Bathed in light, the lobby of the InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal blends classic elegance with contemporary softness.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer / Journal des Palaces
Now operating under the InterContinental brand, Château Mont Royal offers understated luxury. The historic wing and its extension strike a balance between heritage and modernity. Everywhere, light slips in gracefully, caressing high patinated ceilings, intimate terraces, and unique rooms. The day unfolds to the rhythm of these spaces: breakfast on a sun-drenched terrace, a break at the spa, or reading in the lounges, dinner by the dancing glow of candlelight. Then the forest reclaims its rights, enveloping the night in an unusual calm that is much appreciated by visitors.
The history of the place adds to its charm. Designed at the beginning of the 20th century in an elegant Louis XVI style, the château was born out of composer Fernand Halphen's desire to offer his wife a view of the surrounding woods. This panorama, still intact, continues to captivate visitors. Recently, a new chapter began: the hotel joined the InterContinental collection. A major renovation highlighted the romantic decor, enhancing the volumes and bathing the interiors in light.
Today, the InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal no longer simply tells its story: it brings it to life through its spaces and atmospheres, offering an experience where nature and heritage meet without ostentation. Le Journal des Palaces visited the forest to discover this house bathed in a thousand rays of light.
The table as a way of life
The table at Château Mont Royal is one of the highlights of the stay. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the L'Opéra restaurant is transformed into a gastronomic showcase under the direction of chef Léo Chinot, who expresses a French-inspired cuisine where each product is chosen with a seasonal requirement. At nightfall, the room is softly lit, revealing the wood paneling and large windows facing the forest. The setting remains subtle, designed to give center stage to the food. The chef's creations seduce with their precision and balance, a no-frills accuracy that surprises. The service orchestrates this ballet with discreet elegance, attentive to the smallest detail without ever being intrusive, so that the meal flows with the fluidity of a harmonious conversation between the guests, the kitchen, and the cellar.
The next morning, the rendezvous continues in the same room, this time bathed in the soft light of day. Breakfast is enjoyed like a peaceful awakening in front of the mist-shrouded landscape. The air is filled with the comforting aroma of coffee, the pastries reveal their flaky layers at the first cut of the knife, and the freshly prepared fruit and juices remind us of the attention paid to every detail of our stay. Here again, the team stands out for its attentive presence, ensuring that each guest enjoys the moment to the fullest without having to make any requests. During the day or in the evening, the Stradivarius, the castle's former library, offers a more intimate setting. Its deep blue velvet armchairs and elegant bar are perfect for long conversations or a more relaxed dinner in a cozy atmosphere that reveals the magic of the place. Here, the art of the table is not limited to gastronomy: it becomes a way of inhabiting the château, of experiencing it to the full, from the first coffee in the morning to the last drink of the night. The hotel is set to add a separate bar area in the coming years.
Light-filled rooms and suites
After the pleasures of the table, the stay continues in the comfort of the rooms and suites, 109 in total, divided between the historic wing and the 1990s extension. The 91 rooms, ranging from 20 to 35 square meters, are divided into three categories, while the 18 suites, from junior suites to the signature Prince de Condé and Royale suites, offer spaces ranging from 34 to 100 square meters. Some have a terrace or balcony, while others are distinguished by their high ceilings and generous volumes. All are bathed in light and offer a view of the forest or the property. The 2024 renovation has enhanced the light, fluidity, and architectural finesse. Beyond the numbers, what is most appealing is the balance of these rooms. The decor remains understated and elegant, punctuated with a few references to Chantilly. For example, there are sketches of horses, reminiscent of the iconic racecourse located about ten minutes from the hotel. The light shades of beige and orange and the cotton bedding create a relaxing atmosphere, ideal for slowing down the pace. In the evening, from the window, the sun slowly descends over the trees and illuminates the canopy with golden reflections. This natural spectacle gives the room a unique dimension and transforms a night spent at the château into an experience in its own right.
Wellness rituals and getaways in the heart of the estate
To prolong your relaxation, the Biologique Recherche spa invites you to slow down even more. Nestled in the newest wing of the château, it offers three treatment rooms, including one double, a sauna, and an indoor pool bathed in natural light. The renovation has brought more light and space, providing a setting conducive to relaxation. Outside, the forest ritual is offered when the warm weather returns. Under a pergola nestled among the trees, the massage table becomes the starting point for a unique sensory experience: the sun filters through the foliage, the scent of moss and damp wood fills the air, and birdsong accompanies each movement of the practitioner. Far beyond a simple treatment, this immersion in nature suspends time and makes the stay truly memorable.
In addition to a wellness stay, visitors to Mont Royal can also enjoy experiences at the hotel, on the estate, or in the region. The “Chantilly cream activity,” offered every Saturday by the restaurant staff, introduces young and old alike to the secrets of France's most famous whipped cream. This fun and gourmet moment is particularly popular with foreign guests, who are happy to leave with this local know-how as a souvenir. More athletic guests may choose to play a game on the tennis court nestled at the edge of the woods or take a bike ride, electric or classic, through the forest trails. Others may prefer to linger on the peaceful terrace, enjoy a game of giant chess in the gardens, or simply contemplate the breathtaking view of the château. Whether gourmet or athletic, these activities give your stay a special tone, combining discovery and shared pleasures.
Events and enchanted moments
Château Mont Royal also offers spaces for meetings and events. The hotel has twelve lounges, ranging from small, intimate rooms to large configurations such as the Halphen room, which can accommodate up to 250 people for conferences and 300 for cocktail parties. All rooms benefit from natural light and open onto outdoor spaces, including a central patio and several terraces that are perfect for enjoying a break. The varied spaces are ideal for everything from corporate seminars to private receptions, in a setting that combines functionality and elegance.
This event-oriented vocation is complemented by a more intimate role, as the hotel also hosts weddings, birthdays, and marriage proposals, often organized on the terraces overlooking the forest at sunset. These moments of life coexist naturally with large gatherings, reflecting the flexibility of the venue and its art of hospitality.
Finally, the hotel continues to evolve. Following the 2024 renovation, which highlighted the common areas, restaurants, and spa, new work is already planned. It will focus on the meeting rooms, ballroom, and certain technical areas, with the aim of further enhancing the quality of the welcome and modernizing the infrastructure without altering the heritage character of the residence.
The InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal offers an experience where refinement, nature, and history come together in perfect harmony. Whether through the cuisine, the comfort of the rooms, the spa, or the various activities, every moment is designed to delight and soothe. Just a few miles from Paris, the château remains a refuge where time slows down, allowing visitors to savor the beauty of the surroundings and the uniqueness of each moment.
 The rooms and suites are bathed in light and provide a setting where comfort meets refinement.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer / Journal des Palaces
 From the terrace, the château’s silhouette rises amid lush greenery.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer / Journal des Palaces
 The terrace of the InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal offers a relaxing moment overlooking a life-size chess set.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer / Journal des Palaces
 Mirrors and natural light play together in this bathroom, creating an atmosphere of elegance and lightness.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer / Journal des Palaces
 The spa pool showcases a deep blue hue in a tranquil setting, perfect for unwinding.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer /Journal des Palaces
 The Biologique Recherche spa’s treatment rooms offer bright and calming spaces, designed to host personalized treatments in a refined setting conducive to relaxation.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer / Journal des Palaces
 The spa is curated by Biologique Recherche, and its products reflect the brand’s expertise and high standards in skincare.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer / Journal des Palaces
 The fitness room at the InterContinental Chantilly Château Mont Royal provides a bright, functional space for exercise and well-being.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer / Journal des Palaces
 The Stradivarius restaurant, set in the château's former library, offers refined French cuisine in an elegant setting that blends history and modernity.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer / Journal des Palaces
 The L’Opéra restaurant, set in the château’s former music salon, captivates with its elegant setting and majestic windows.
Crédit photo © Romane Le Royer / Journal des Palaces
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